APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING DISTRIBUTION OF TOBACCO STRIP AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING DISTRIBUTION OF TOBACCO STRIP

摘要

An apparatus (10) is configured to control the distribution of tobacco strip in a charger (80) of a tobacco packing press (1, 2). The apparatus includes a housing (12). A plurality of ducts (14, 18, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 52, 54, 58, 60, 68, 70) extend from the housing (12) to the charger (80). Each duct (14, 18, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 52, 54, 58, 60, 68, 70) is configured to direct a portion of the air flow from the housing (12) to the charger (80). A plurality of nozzles (82, 84, 86, 88) are spaced around the perimeter of the charger (80). Each nozzle (82, 84, 86, 88) is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of ducts (14, 18, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 52, 54, 58, 60, 68, 70). Each duct (14, 18, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 52, 54, 58, 60, 68, 70) may include a flow controller (36, 38, 46, 48, 62, 64, 72, 74) that is selectively openable and closable to direct the portion of the air flow around a perimeter of the charger (80) to distribute the tobacco strip in the charger (80). A method of controlling distribution of tobacco strip in a charger of a tobacco packing press includes providing an air flow and selectively directing portions of the air flow around a perimeter of the charger (80) to distribute the tobacco strip in the charger (80).